The search is on to find the quickest back and forward in Welsh rugby in the “Superfast Challenge” as part of the partnership between the four Welsh Regions and BT Cymru Wales.

Pro Rugby Wales and the four Welsh Pro teams, the Newport Gwent Dragons, Scarlets, Ospreys and Cardiff Blues are working closely with main sponsor BT Sport and BT Cymru Wales on a number of initiatives to promote participation and engagement in the game in Wales with the new challenge set to champion the most explosive and speedy players in Welsh rugby at the end of the current 2014/15 season.

The exciting new 20m sprint challenge kicked off this week ahead of the Dragons v Connacht game at Rodney Parade with key Newport Gwent Dragons players putting down a marker to their regional colleagues through their pace and speed.

With the Welsh rugby nation banking on the speed and agility of its international stars in the RBS 6Nations campaign, the current leading lights in the Welsh Regions are taking up the mantle to stay in the battle for top spots in the Guinness PRO12.

The “Superfast Challenge” will see the both backs and forwards record the best times over a 20m sprint on the rugby field as part of their weekly training sessions overseen by conditioning and analysis staff, with the best results being championed at the end of the 2014/15 season.

The new challenge coincides with a high profile awareness campaign across Wales led by the partners of Superfast Cymru on the benefits of homes and businesses harnessing the efficiencies of high speed broadband provision in Wales.

The multi-million pound Superfast Cymru programme is a partnership between the Welsh Government, UK Government, European Regional Development Fund and BT programme and is bringing high speed fibre broadband across Wales.

More than a million households and businesses across Wales can now connect to high-speed fibre broadband. The 1m total includes 50,000 in both Newport and Wrexham, more than 130,000 premises in Cardiff and 90,000 in Swansea.

This milestone has been achieved through BT’s commercial fibre roll-out and Superfast Cymru.

BT Director for Wales, Ann Beynon said: “While we see the next generation of talented rugby players making a mark at this time of the season – it’s the next generation of broadband that we’re delivering that will make its mark in Wales. Much faster, more reliable and using new the latest technology.

“Just as the Welsh Regions are providing the infrastructure to fast-track rugby development and support new talent, we are providing the infrastructure to give people and businesses in Wales the opportunity to harness faster speeds and achieve greater productivity.

“Superfast Cymru is a hugely ambitious programme that will place Wales at the forefront of broadband technology. The economic impact of such a programme cannot be underestimated as it will provide an environment allowing businesses to establish and flourish.

“There are clear links between our own ambitions, vision and goals and those found in the intense and competitive Welsh rugby set-ups. This challenge is all about explosive speed, efficiency, a competitive edge and a spirit to succeed. It’s sure to bring out the competitive spirit between players and Regions as well as the fun of some friendly rivalry in the process as the challenge spreads across our rugby nation.”

Chief Executive of Pro Rugby Wales that represents the four Welsh Rugby Regions Mark Davies said: “Our partnership between BT Sport and BT Cymru Wales has strengthened over the course of this, our first season with BT Sport as main sponsor of the four Welsh Regions. We are working on a number of exciting initiatives over the course of the three-year partnership to celebrate our game in Wales based on a shared philosophy to inspire more to enjoy rugby and to support and benefit our communities as sport and technology works hand-in-hand.

“It’s so positive that BT, as a successful global brand, can see the real value in investing significantly in our Regional businesses, our 200 professional players and the rugby development structures we have in place.”

The Superfast Cymru logo will appear on front of the iconic Newport Gwent Dragons shirt alongside BT Sport at this Sunday’s Guinness PRO12 fixture against Connacht (kick off 4pm) as part of the new partnership approach.

Players from Newport Gwent Dragons who topped the “Superfast” charts recorded the following times on 20m sprint at training this week:

Mathew Pewtner 2.52s

Tom Prydie & Angus O’Brien 2.74s

Ashton Hewitt & Jonathan Evans 2.76s

Richie Rees 2.79s

Jason Tovey 2.81s

Superfast Cymru is the largest partnership of its kind in the UK. Funding of £205m has been provided by the Welsh Government, UK Government and the European Union, with BT contributing a further £220m to deliver fibre across Wales via its commercial roll-out and the Superfast Cymru programme.

Superfast Cymru will see high-speed fibre broadband being brought to areas of Wales which would otherwise not receive it. The Welsh Government aims to make fibre available to 96 per cent of premises in Wales by Spring 2016.